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NEREIA
One leapt into the water, and came, tall
And radiant, wading knee-deep, to the steps.
And she, with wave-like musical motion, pass’d
Rapidly down the marble, till she came
To the last pavement that the water smooth’d
With shimmering light; beyond was nought save sand.
And, as she gain’d the sea, and he the shore,
Lo! in triumphant glory burst the sun
Out of his rosy palace gates. The sea
Grew gold for joy, and golden glow’d the sails,
And golden joy sprang in Nereia’s soul.
Her face was bent on his, her love’s, her lord’s,
His face, whom she would crown with her glad troth.
For seeing how the sunbeams on his head
Laid their royal diadem of glorious light,
And what a dazzling radiance had its home
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